Methods and apparatus for providing network broadcast information to WLAN enabled wireless communication devices

ABSTRACT

One illustrative method of providing network broadcast information to a wireless device from a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes the steps of receiving, from one or more available cellular networks or a network database, cellular network broadcast information associated with the one or more available cellular networks; providing the cellular network broadcast information in a generic container message which varies in content and format according to one or more cellular standards associated with the one or more available cellular networks; and causing the generic container message to be regularly broadcasted for receipt and use by a wireless device. In an alternative approach, the steps include regularly broadcasting a network interworking indicator which is indicative of whether cellular network broadcast information is available for receipt from the WLAN; receiving a probe request from a wireless device; and causing the cellular network broadcast information to be sent to the wireless device in the generic container message in response to the probe request from the wireless device. The generic container message may alternatively or additionally include wireless network broadcast information from different types of wireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX) which are available to the WLAN.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to a U.S. Provisional PatentApplication entitled “System And Method Of Providing Cellular NetworkInformation To WLAN Enabled Wireless Communication Devices” having Ser.No. 60/523,515 and a filing date of 19 Nov. 2003.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology

The present application relates generally to wireless communicationdevices which communicate with both wireless local area networks (WLANs)and cellular networks, and more particularly to the communication ofcellular network information for one or more cellular networks to amobile station through a WLAN.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of wireless local area networks (WLANs), there is anexisting method of broadcasting information specific to a WLAN usingbinary and textual information. There is also an initiative to enable aWLAN to communicate with one or more 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) cellular networks in order to provide cellular usersaccess to a higher bandwidth via the WLAN while still being able toaccess their cellular service.

WLANs were originally designed for wireless LAN connectivity; noprovisions were made for cellular network communication. Traditionally,no suitable way has been provided to advertise whether “interworking”between a WLAN and cellular networks exists. Further, no suitabletechniques have been established to identify which cellular networks agiven WLAN may interwork with or any other information for allowing amobile station to select cellular networks for communication.

Currently, a WLAN may broadcast a textual string, referred to as aService Set ID (SSID), to identify itself. WLAN operators oftenestablish their own broadcast information (i.e. an SSID) specific totheir needs, including such data as branding information and/or a namefor use by a smart client application. WLAN operators are reluctant tochange their broadcast SSIDs to make them compatible with cellularnetwork identifiers.

Interconnection amongst multiple networks requires that a SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) or Universal Subscriber Identity Module (U-SIM) beused to identify the subscriber. The U-SIM also contains informationthat identifies preferred and forbidden networks that the subscriber isallowed to use. This information is stored as a Mobile Country Code(MCC) and a Mobile Network Code (MNC) pair in the SIM or U-SIM. If abroadcast SSID has been assigned to a WLAN and the WLAN operator doesnot wish to change it, there is no established way that the MCC and MNCpair can be broadcasted from the WLAN to the mobile station.

There is a mechanism that allows the mobile station to probe the WLANfor other supported SSIDs. The WLAN will only respond to a proberequest, however, if the WLAN supports the SSID. Therefore, a mobilestation would need to probe for every known network to determine whetherthe WLAN supports cellular network interworking. Such a method istime-consuming, inefficient, and reduces the battery life of the mobilestation. There is a resulting need for a more efficient method toprovide cellular network information to a WLAN enabled mobile station.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus for providing network broadcast information from awireless local area network (WLAN) to WLAN-enabled wirelesscommunication devices are described herein.

One illustrative method includes the steps of receiving, from one ormore available wireless networks or a network database, wireless networkbroadcast information associated with the one or more available wirelessnetworks; providing the wireless network broadcast information in ageneric container message which varies in content and format accordingto one or more wireless standards associated with the one or moreavailable wireless networks; and causing the generic container messageto be regularly broadcasted for receipt and use by the wireless device.

In an alternative approach, the steps include regularly broadcasting anetwork interworking indicator which is indicative of whether thewireless network broadcast information is available for receipt from theWLAN; receiving a probe request from a wireless device; and causing thewireless network broadcast information to be sent to the wireless devicein a generic container message in response to the probe request from thewireless device.

Preferably, the wireless network broadcast information in the genericcontainer message includes cellular network broadcast informationassociated with different types of cellular networks. The genericcontainer message may alternatively or additionally include wirelessbroadcast information from different types of wireless networks (e.g.Wi-MAX) which are available to the WLAN. Other aspects and features ofthe present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilledin the art upon review of the following description of specificembodiments of the present invention in conjunction with theaccompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached figures. Same referencenumerals are used in different figures to denote similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the pertinent components of awireless communication device which operates in a wireless communicationsystem;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a preferred wireless deviceof FIG. 1, namely, a mobile station;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication system which includes awireless local area network (WLAN), cellular telecommunication networks,and WLAN-enabled wireless devices;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing for thecommunication of network broadcast information between a WLAN and awireless device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating typical network selectioncomponents of a wireless device;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a particular method of networkselection by a wireless device;

FIG. 7 is one example of a message format for a generic containermessage which may be utilized in the system; and

FIG. 8 is another example of a message format for the generic containermessage which may be utilized in the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Methods and apparatus for providing network information from a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) to WLAN-enabled wireless communication devicesare described herein. One illustrative method includes the steps ofreceiving, from one or more available cellular networks or a networkdatabase, cellular network broadcast information associated with the oneor more available cellular networks; providing the cellular networkbroadcast information in a generic container message which varies incontent and format according to one or more cellular standardsassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; and causingthe generic container message to be regularly broadcasted for receiptand use by the wireless device. In an alternative approach, the stepsinclude regularly broadcasting a network interworking indicator which isindicative of whether the cellular network broadcast information isavailable for receipt from the WLAN; receiving a probe request from awireless device; and causing the cellular network broadcast informationto be sent to the wireless device in a generic container message inresponse to the probe request from the wireless device. Note that thegeneric container message may alternatively or additionally includewireless network broadcast information from different types of wirelessnetworks (e.g., Wi-MAX) which are available to the WLAN.

Thus, the techniques provide network broadcast information toWLAN-enabled wireless devices which may utilize this information fornetwork selection purposes. The network broadcast information may bebroadcasted by the WLAN at regular intervals, or be solicited from theWLAN by a wireless device. Preferably, the cellular network informationis included in a generic container message which varies in content andformat according to one or more cellular standards associated with oneor more networks available to the WLAN. If the solicited approach isutilized, the wireless device requests the network broadcast informationby sending a probe request for the known Service Set Identifier (SSID)associated with the WLAN. Upon receipt of the probe request, the WLANsends the generic container message to the wireless device in a proberesponse. In this solicited approach, the broadcast information from theWLAN includes an indicator (e.g. a flag) which indicates that networkinterworking is available. The wireless device, upon detection of thisindicator, performs the probe request to obtain the network broadcastinformation.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagramillustrating the basic components of a wireless communication device 102which operates in a wireless communication system 100. As shown in FIG.1, wireless device 102 is adapted to communicate with a wireless localarea network (WLAN) 190. Also as shown, wireless device 102 may beadapted to communicate with a wireless communication network 104 whichis a cellular telecommunications network. For wireless communicationwith wireless network 104, wireless device 102 utilizes radio frequency(RF) transceiver circuitry 108 a and an antenna 110 a. For wirelesscommunication with WLAN 190, wireless device 102 utilizes RF transceivercircuitry 108 b and an antenna 110 b. With such configuration, wirelessdevice 102 may be referred to as a “dual mode” communication device.Although shown in FIG. 1 as having separate and independent transceivercomponents, at least some portions or components of these otherwisedifferent transceivers may be shared where possible. Note that wirelessdevice 102 may alternatively be a “single mode” device which does nothave RF transceiver 108 a and antenna 110 a but rather communicates onlywith WLAN 190.

Wireless device 102 preferably includes a visual display 112, a keyboard114, and perhaps one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, each ofwhich is coupled to a controller 106. Controller 106 is also coupled toRF transceiver circuitry 108 a and antenna 110 a as well as RFtransceiver circuitry 108 b and antenna 110 b. Typically, controller 106is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU) which runs operatingsystem software in a memory component (not shown). Controller 106 willnormally control overall operation of wireless device 102, whereassignal-processing operations associated with communication functions aretypically performed in the RF transceiver circuitry. Controller 106interfaces with device display 112 to display received information,stored information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard 114, which maybe a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard, is normallyprovided for entering data for storage in wireless device 102,information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number to placea telephone call, commands to be executed on wireless device 102, andpossibly other or different user inputs.

Wireless device 102 sends communication signals to and receivescommunication signals over wireless communication links. For example,wireless device 102 may communicate with wireless network 104 viaantenna 110 a. RF transceiver circuitry 108 a performs functions similarto those of a radio network (RN) 128, including for examplemodulation/demodulation and possibly encoding/decoding andencryption/decryption. It is also contemplated that RF transceivercircuitry 108 a may perform certain functions in addition to thoseperformed by RN 128. It will be apparent to those skilled in art that RFtransceiver circuitry 108 a will be adapted to particular wirelessnetwork or networks in which wireless device 102 is intended to operate.

Wireless device 102 includes a battery interface 122 for receiving oneor more rechargeable batteries 124. Battery 124 provides electricalpower to electrical circuitry in wireless device 102, and batteryinterface 122 provides for a mechanical and electrical connection forbattery 124. Battery interface 122 is coupled to a regulator 126 whichregulates power to the device. Wireless device 102 also operates using amemory module 120, such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), aUniversal SIM (U-SIM), or a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM),which is connected to or inserted in wireless device 102 at an interface118.

Wireless device 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a datacommunication device, a cellular telephone, a multiple-functioncommunication device with data and voice communication capabilities, apersonal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, ora computer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, wirelessdevice 102 may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality ofseparate components, including but in no way limited to a computer orother device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example,in the wireless device block diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry108 a and antenna 110 a may be implemented as a radio modem unit thatmay be inserted into a port on a laptop computer. In this case, thelaptop computer would include display 112, keyboard 114, one or moreauxiliary UIs 116, and controller 106 embodied as the computer's CPU. Itis also contemplated that a computer or other equipment not normallycapable of wireless communication may be adapted to connect to andeffectively assume control of RF transceiver circuitry 108 a and antenna110 a of a single-unit device such as one of those described above. Sucha wireless device 102 may have a more particular implementation asdescribed later in relation to mobile station 202 of FIG. 2.

Although described herein as utilizing a specific communicationtechnology, wireless network 104 may operate in accordance with anysuitable communication protocol, especially Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access (W-CDMA) and Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution(EDGE) technologies. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wireless network 104is a Third Generation (3G) supported network based on CDMA technologies.In particular, wireless network 104 is a CDMA2000 network which includesfixed network components coupled as shown in FIG. 1. Wireless network104 of the CDMA2000-type includes a Radio Network (RN) 128, a MobileSwitching Center (MSC) 130, a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network 140, aHome Location Register/Authentication Center (HLR/AC) 138, a Packet DataServing Node (PDSN) 132, an IP network 134, and a Remote AuthenticationDial-In User Service (RADIUS) server 136. SS7 network 140 iscommunicatively coupled to a network 142 (such as a Public SwitchedTelephone Network or PSTN), whereas IP network is communicativelycoupled to a network 144 (such as the Internet).

During operation, wireless device 102 communicates with RN 128 whichperforms functions such as call-setup, call processing, and mobilitymanagement. RN 128 includes a plurality of base station transceiversystems that provide wireless network coverage for a particular coveragearea commonly referred to as a “cell”. A given base station transceiversystem of RN 128, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, transmitscommunication signals to and receives communication signals fromwireless devices within its cell. The base station transceiver systemnormally performs such functions as modulation and possibly encodingand/or encryption of signals to be transmitted to the wireless device inaccordance with particular, usually predetermined, communicationprotocols and parameters, under control of its controller. The basestation transceiver system similarly demodulates and possibly decodesand decrypts, if necessary, any communication signals received fromwireless device 102 within its cell. Communication protocols andparameters may vary between different networks. For example, one networkmay employ a different modulation scheme and operate at differentfrequencies than other networks. The underlying services may also differbased on its particular protocol revision.

The wireless link shown in communication system 100 of FIG. 1 representsone or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF)channels, and associated protocols used between wireless network 104 andwireless device 102. An RF channel is a limited resource that must beconserved, typically due to limits in overall bandwidth and a limitedbattery power of wireless device 102. Those skilled in art willappreciate that a wireless network in actual practice may includehundreds of cells depending upon desired overall expanse of networkcoverage. All pertinent components may be connected by multiple switchesand routers (not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all wireless device's 102 registered with a network operator,permanent data (such as wireless device 102 user's profile) as well astemporary data (such as wireless device's 102 current location) arestored in a HLR/AC 138. In case of a voice call to wireless device 102,HLR/AC 138 is queried to determine the current location of wirelessdevice 102. A Visitor Location Register (VLR) of MSC 130 is responsiblefor a group of location areas and stores the data of those wirelessdevices that are currently in its area of responsibility. This includesparts of the permanent wireless device data that have been transmittedfrom HLR/AC 138 to the VLR for faster access. However, the VLR of MSC130 may also assign and store local data, such as temporaryidentifications. Wireless device 102 is also authenticated on systemaccess by HLR/AC 138. In order to provide packet data services towireless device 102 in a CDMA2000-based network, RN 128 communicateswith PDSN 132. PDSN 132 provides access to the Internet 144 (orintranets, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers, etc.) through IPnetwork 134. PDSN 132 also provides foreign agent (FA) functionality inmobile IP networks as well as packet transport for virtual privatenetworking. PDSN 132 has a range of IP addresses and performs IP addressmanagement, session maintenance, and optional caching. RADIUS server 136is responsible for performing functions related to authentication,authorization, and accounting (AAA) of packet data services, and may bereferred to as an AAA server.

Those skilled in art will appreciate that wireless network 104 may beconnected to other systems, possibly including other networks, notexplicitly shown in FIG. 1. A network will normally be transmitting atvery least some sort of paging and system information on an ongoingbasis, even if there is no actual packet data exchanged. Although thenetwork consists of many parts, these parts all work together to resultin certain behaviours at the wireless link.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of a preferred wireless device of FIG.1, namely a mobile station 202. Mobile station 202 is preferably atwo-way communication device having at least voice and advanced datacommunication capabilities, including the capability to communicate withother computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided bymobile station 202, it may be referred to as a data messaging device, atwo-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, awireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with orwithout telephony capabilities).

As shown in FIG. 2, mobile station 202 is adapted to wirelesslycommunicate with WLAN 190. Also as shown, mobile station 202 may beadapted to wirelessly communicate with cellular base station transceiversystems 200. For communication with cellular networks, mobile station202 utilizes communication subsystem 211. For communication with WLANs,mobile station 202 utilizes an additional communication subsystem 291which has the same structural components as communication subsystem 211.With such configuration, mobile station 202 may be referred to as a“dual mode” mobile station. Although shown in FIG. 2 as having separateand independent subsystems, at least some portions or components ofthese otherwise different subsystems may be shared where possible. Notethat mobile station 202 may alternatively be a “single mode” mobilestation which does not have communication subsystem 211 but rathercommunicates only with WLAN 190 through communication subsystem 291.

Communication subsystem 211 includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214,and associated components, such as one or more (preferably embedded orinternal) antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, anda processing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220.Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry 108a and antenna 110 a shown in FIG. 1. As will be apparent to thoseskilled in field of communications, particular design of communicationsubsystem 211 depends on the communication network in which mobilestation 202 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 202 may send and receive communication signals throughthe network after required network procedures have been completed.Signals received by antenna 216 through the network are input toreceiver 212, which may perform such common receiver functions as signalamplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection,and like, and in example shown in FIG. 2, analog-to-digital (A/D)conversion. A/D conversion of a received signal allows more complexcommunication functions such as demodulation and decoding to beperformed in DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted areprocessed, including modulation and encoding, for example, by DSP 220.These DSP-processed signals are input to transmitter 214 fordigital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering,amplification and transmission over communication network via antenna218. DSP 220 not only processes communication signals, but also providesfor receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied tocommunication signals in receiver 212 and transmitter 214 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithmsimplemented in DSP 220.

Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of mobile station202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a memory module 262, suchas a Subscriber Identity Module or “SIM” card, a Universal SIM (U-SIM),or a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), to be inserted in orconnected to an interface 264 of mobile station 202 in order to operatein the network. Since mobile station 202 is a mobile battery-powereddevice, it also includes a battery interface 254 for receiving one ormore rechargeable batteries 256. Such a battery 256 provides electricalpower to most if not all electrical circuitry in mobile station 202, andbattery interface 254 provides for a mechanical and electricalconnection for it. Battery interface 254 is coupled to a regulator (notshown in FIG. 2) that provides power V+ to all of the circuitry.

Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is oneimplementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1) that controls overalloperation of mobile station 202. This control includes the wirelessbroadcast information processing techniques of the present application.Communication functions, including at least data and voicecommunications, are performed through communication subsystem 211.Microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional device subsystems suchas a display 222, a flash memory 224, a random access memory (RAM) 226,auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, a serial port 230, akeyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generallydesignated at 242. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 2 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such askeyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for bothcommunication-related functions, such as entering a text message fortransmission over a communication network, and device-resident functionssuch as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used bymicroprocessor 238 is preferably stored in a persistent store such asflash memory 224, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) orsimilar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, orparts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such asRAM 226.

Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions,preferably enables execution of software applications on mobile station202. A predetermined set of applications that control basic deviceoperations, including at least data and voice communicationapplications, will normally be installed on mobile station 202 duringits manufacture. A preferred application that may be loaded onto mobilestation 202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) applicationhaving the ability to organize and manage data items relating to usersuch as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores areavailable on mobile station 202 and SIM 256 to facilitate storage of PIMdata items and other information.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive dataitems via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, PIM dataitems are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via thewireless network, with the wireless device user's corresponding dataitems stored and/or associated with a host computer system therebycreating a mirrored host computer on mobile station 202 with respect tosuch items. This is especially advantageous where the host computersystem is the wireless device user's office computer system. Additionalapplications may also be loaded onto mobile station 202 through network,an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, andinstalled by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (notshown) for execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility inapplication installation increases the functionality of mobile station202 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-relatedfunctions, or both. For example, secure communication applications mayenable electronic commerce functions and other such financialtransactions to be performed using mobile station 202.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message,an e-mail message, or web page download will be processed bycommunication subsystem 211 and input to microprocessor 238.Microprocessor 238 will preferably further process the signal for outputto display 222 or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device 228. A user ofmobile station 202 may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,for example, using keyboard 232 in conjunction with display 222 andpossibly auxiliary I/O device 228. Keyboard 232 is preferably a completealphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. These composed itemsmay be transmitted over a communication network through communicationsubsystem 211.

For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station 202 issubstantially similar, except that the received signals would be outputto speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated bymicrophone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on mobilestation 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferablyaccomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be usedto provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration ofa voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.

Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a personal digitalassistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization witha user's desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component.Serial port 230 enables a user to set preferences through an externaldevice or software application and extends the capabilities of mobilestation 202 by providing for information or software downloads to mobilestation 202 other than through a wireless communication network. Thealternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryptionkey onto mobile station 202 through a direct and thus reliable andtrusted connection to thereby provide secure device communication.

Short-range communications subsystem 240 of FIG. 2 is an additionaloptional component that provides for communication between mobilestation 202 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarilybe similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™communication module to provide for communication with similarly enabledsystems and devices. Bluetooth™ is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system whichincludes a wireless local area network (WLAN) 304, cellulartelecommunication networks 306, 308, and 310, and WLAN-enabled wirelessdevices 300 and 302. WLAN-enabled wireless devices 300 and 302 may havethe structure and operation as described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2.Note that there may be many more wireless devices, WLANs, and cellularnetworks provided in the communication system in addition to thoseshown. As shown, WLAN 304 is connected to one or more cellular networks306, 308, and 310. WLAN 304 receives information from cellular networks306, 308, and 310 through wired connections or other suitable means(e.g. via a T1/E1 connection or a point-to-point radio link). WLANs maybe positioned in any suitable area or environment, and are typicallyfound in coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, airports, and companyoffices. Areas within which WLANs provide coverage may be referred to as“hot spots”. Wireless devices 300 and 302 communicate wirelessly withinand through WLAN 304 over radio frequency (RF) communication links.WLANs are typically wire-connected to the Internet using traditionalTelco connections to provide higher bandwidth data communications forwireless devices 300 and 302. WLAN 304 operates in accordance with IEEEor ETSI standards, for example, although any suitable communicationtechnologies may be utilized.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a general method of providing for thecommunication of cellular network information between a WLAN and awireless device. This method may be performed in the environmentdescribed in relation to FIG. 3, with the wireless device shown anddescribed in relation to FIGS. 1-2. The steps are performed by one ormore controllers or processors (e.g. microprocessor 238 of FIG. 2) ofthe wireless device, in connection with any other necessary devicecomponents (e.g. its RF transceivers). As apparent from thisdescription, the WLAN performs a complimentary method associated withthe wireless device method. A computer program product of the presentapplication may include a storage medium (e.g. FLASH memory 224 of FIG.2) and computer instructions stored in the storage medium which areexecuted by the one or more processors for performing the method.

Beginning at a start block 402 of FIG. 4, the wireless device performs ascanning operation using its RF transceiver to identify any availableWLANs within coverage (step 404 of FIG. 4). In this step, the wirelessdevice scans all available bands (e.g. 2.4 Gigahertz, 5 Gigahertz, orboth) to identify all possible WLANs available at its current location.Assuming at least one WLAN is identified, the wireless device selectsone of the WLANs and uses its RF transceiver to monitor broadcastinformation from the selected WLAN. Upon monitoring, the wireless devicereceives broadcast information from the WLAN (step 406 of FIG. 4). Thebroadcast information is regularly or periodically broadcasted by theWLAN to all compatible wireless devices, preferably at a predeterminedrepetition rate. Specifically, the broadcast information may be sentwithin a regularly-broadcasted frame known as a “beacon frame” or“beacon frame”. These frames include header information which indicatewhether or not they are broadcast frames.

The broadcast information may include what is referred to as a “genericcontainer message”. A generic container message includes cellularnetwork broadcast information associated with all cellular networksavailable to the WLAN (e.g. cellular networks 306, 308, and 310available to WLAN 304 of FIG. 3). As apparent by its name, the genericcontainer message is not technology or standard-specific and may containnetwork broadcast information from any one or more of a variety ofdifferent cellular networks (e.g. 3GPP, 3GPP2, or other suitablestandard). As the information may be received from networks associatedwith different cellular technologies and/or standards, the informationin the generic container message may vary in content and format inaccordance with the one or more cellular standards associated with thenetworks. For example, the cellular format may be based on 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and/or 3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project 2 (3GPP2), and/or any other cellular or wirelessnetwork standards. Technology-specific information in the genericcontainer message is identified by an appropriate identification, suchas a technology or organization identification.

Thus, the WLAN may receive network broadcast information having acontent and format defined by two or more different cellular standardsand/or communication protocols. The cellular network broadcastinformation may include all of the information ordinarily broadcasted bythe associated cellular network or, alternatively, a subset thereof.Preferably, the cellular network information includes, amongst otherinformation, broadcast information having information that uniquelyidentifies a cellular network. For example, the information thatuniquely identifies a cellular network may include a systemidentification (SID) and/or a mobile country code (MCC) and mobilenetwork code (MNC) pair.

The WLAN initially receives this information from the available cellularnetworks or one or more network databases, and provides or formats theinformation into the generic container message. Preferably, the cellularnetwork information is stored in an organized manner according totechnology, networks, and content (see e.g. Table 1 below). TABLE 1 Anexample of the organized storage of network broadcast information in theWLAN; also an example of the order in which the cellular networkinformation is generally transmitted in the generic container message bythe WLAN; and also an example of the organized storage of cellularnetwork information in the wireless device. Network Identifi- Networkcation Broadcast Technology/ (e.g. MNC/ Infor- Broadcast Standard MCC orSID) mation Interval 3GPP Network 1 Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1Broadcast Interval 2 Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval NInformation N Network 2 Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 BroadcastInterval 2 Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N. . . . . . . . . Network M Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 BroadcastInterval 2 Information 2 . . . . . . 3GPP2 Broadcast Interval NInformation N Network 3 Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 BroadcastInterval 2 Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information NNetwork 4 Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 Broadcast Interval 2Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N . . . . . .. . . Network P Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 Broadcast Interval 2Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N OtherNetwork 5 Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 Broadcast Interval 2Information 2 . . . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N Network 6Broadcast Interval 1 Information 1 Broadcast Interval 2 Information 2 .. . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N . . . . . . . . . Network QBroadcast Interval 1 Information 1 Broadcast Interval 2 Information 2 .. . . . . Broadcast Interval N Information N

Note that the generic container message may alternatively oradditionally include wireless network broadcast information (in contrastto cellular network broadcast information) from any wireless networksavailable to the WLAN. For example, the generic container message mayinclude wireless network broadcast information associated with one ormore available wireless networks operating in accordance with Wi-MAXtechnology. Wi-MAX is technology based on the IEEE 802.16 Air InterfaceStandard for fixed wireless broadband access systems employing apoint-to-multipoint (PMP) architecture.

If the broadcast information from the WLAN includes a generic containermessage, the wireless device receives and decodes the generic containermessage to thereby reveal the network broadcast information containedwithin it (step 408 of FIG. 4). The wireless device then stores thisinformation in its memory, preferably in the organized fashion shown anddescribed in relation to Table 1 above. Thus, the wireless device storesavailable network broadcast information for multiple different types ofnetworks to which the wireless device may interconnect. Preferably, thewireless device retains this information in a non-volatile memory sothat the information is retained if the wireless device is powered off.

Note that such information is stored for each WLAN encountered by thewireless device. In the wireless device memory, an association is madebetween each WLAN that the wireless device encounters (e.g. preferablybased on the SSID) and the available cellular network informationreceived from the WLAN. Note also that the broadcast information mayalso include broadcast interval data associated with each network. Theinterval data is indicative of the interval at which the information isbroadcasted; interval data is used to calculate the repetition rate ofthe broadcast. Referring to Table 1 above, the 3GPP Information hasbroadcast information from 1 to n and associated interval data from 1 ton. Also, a separate container stores 3GPP2 Information having broadcastinformation 1 to n and associated interval data from 1 to n.

If there are more WLANs which were identified from the previous scanningoperation (step 410 of FIG. 4), then the wireless device repeats thesteps for each such WLAN. If not, the wireless device solicits knownWLANs which may be operating in a “stealth mode”. While operating in astealth mode, a WLAN refrains from broadcasting its SSID to wirelessdevices. Wireless devices may solicit such WLANs with “probe requests”using a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of the WLAN. Thus, the wirelessdevice may send a probe request to the WLAN for a known stored SSID ofthe WLAN (step 414 of FIG. 4). The WLAN should normally respond to thewireless device with a probe response which is received by the wirelessdevice (step 415 of FIG. 4). If network interworking is supported by theWLAN, the WLAN returns a generic container message (as described above)in its probe response to the wireless device (step 416 of FIG. 4). Thisgeneric container message is received, decoded, and stored by thewireless device as described earlier above. If network interworking isnot supported by the WLAN, then step 416 is not performed. Next, ifthere are additional stored SSIDs to consider for probe requests (step418 of FIG. 4), then the wireless device repeats steps 414, 415, and 416for the probing additional WLANs.

Thereafter, the wireless device selects and registers onto a selectedWLAN (step 412 of FIG. 4). This will enable the wireless device and theWLAN to communicate (step 420 of FIG. 4). The wireless device may thenperform network selection after receiving the network broadcastinformation, to communicate with one of the networks identified from thegeneric container message. In particular, the wireless device mayutilize the MCC/MNC pairs (or the SID) within the cellular networkinformation to perform network selection. The wireless device may selectone of these networks (e.g. its “home” or other network in accordancewith a preferred network list or through manual selection via a userinterface) through the WLAN. In particular, the wireless device signalsthe WLAN with the selected network using a Network Access Identifier(NAI). This takes place of a conventional scanning operation of thewireless device for cellular network selection.

Note that, in step 408 of FIG. 4, the wireless device may not receiveany generic container message in the broadcast information from theWLAN. Rather, the wireless device may receive a network interworkingindicator (e.g. a bit flag) which is indicative of whether the networkbroadcasting information is available from the WLAN. The wireless devicemakes a decision to perform a probe request to the WLAN based on thisindicator. Specifically, if the indicator indicates that the networkbroadcast information is available from the WLAN (e.g. bit flag=‘1’),then the wireless device performs a probe request to the WLAN using itsSSID; if the indicator indicates that the network broadcast informationis unavailable from the WLAN (e.g. bit flag=‘0’), then the wirelessdevice refrains from performing a probe request to the WLAN.

Thus, a WLAN of the present application is adapted to receive, from oneor more available cellular networks or a network database, cellularnetwork broadcast information associated with one or more availablecellular networks; provide the cellular network broadcast information ina generic container message which varies in content and format accordingto one or more cellular standards associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; and cause the generic container message tobe regularly broadcasted for receipt and use by a wireless device. Onthe other hand, the wireless device of the present application includesone or more processors; memory coupled to the one or more processors; aradio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the one or more processors;and an antenna coupled to the RF transceiver. The one or more processorsof the wireless device are operative to monitor broadcast informationfrom a wireless local area network with use of the RF transceiver;receive a generic container message which is regularly broadcasted bythe wireless local area network, the generic container message includingcellular network broadcast information associated with one or moreavailable cellular networks which varies in content and format inaccordance with one or more cellular standards associated with the oneor more available cellular networks; decode the generic containermessage to identify the cellular network broadcast informationassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; and storethe cellular network broadcast information in the memory.

Alternatively, the WLAN of the present application is adapted toreceive, from one or more available cellular networks or a networkdatabase, cellular network broadcast information associated with the oneor more available cellular networks; provide the cellular networkbroadcast information in a generic container message which varies incontent and format according to one or more cellular standardsassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; receive aprobe request from a wireless device; and cause the generic containermessage to be sent to the wireless device in response to the proberequest. The WLAN may be further adapted to cause a network interworkingindicator to be broadcasted, where the network interworking indicator isindicative of whether the cellular network broadcast information isavailable from the WLAN. On the other hand, the wireless device includesone or more processors; memory coupled to the one or more processors; anRF transceiver coupled to the one or more processors; and an antennacoupled to the RF transceiver. The one or more processors of thewireless device are operative to cause a probe request to be sent to awireless local area network; receive a generic container message fromthe wireless local area network in response to the probe request, thegeneric container message varying in content and format according to oneor more cellular standards associated with one or more availablecellular networks; decode the generic container message to identifycellular network broadcast information associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; and store the cellular network broadcastinformation in memory of the wireless device. The one or more processorsmay be further operative to receive a network interworking indicatorwhich is broadcasted, where the network interworking indicator isindicative of whether the cellular network broadcast information isavailable from the wireless local area network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating network selection on a wirelessdevice. Network selection is performed with use of a network selector504 and a detector module 510. Other modules involved in this processmay include a user input activator module 502, a user display module222, storage elements 506 and 508, a transmitter 212, and a receiver214. Upon receiving the broadcast information from the WLAN, receiver212 passes the information to detector module 242. Detector module 242is adapted to detect whether the WLAN has network interworkingcapabilities. Once network selector 504 has determined it has sufficientinformation from WLAN 304 stored in storage element 508, it then usesthis information with networks with which wireless device 300 is allowedto roam stored in storage element 506. Storage element 506, with respectto cellular network interworking, may be a SIM or U-SIM. A comparisonbetween the information in storage element 508 and storage element 506is then performed. Once a network has been selected, it is displayed tothe user via user display 222. On the other hand, if the user is allowedto perform manual network selection, all available networks shall bedisplayed to the user via user display 222, and the user is able toselect the network of choice with use of user input activator module502.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed flowchart of a particular network selectionmethod for a WLAN-enabled wireless device. This method may be performedin the environment described in relation to FIG. 3, with the wirelessdevice shown and described in relation to FIGS. 1-2. The steps areperformed by one or more controllers or processors (e.g. microprocessor238 of FIG. 2) of the wireless device, in connection with any othernecessary device components (e.g. its RF transceivers). As apparent fromthis description, the WLAN performs a complimentary method associatedwith the wireless device method. A computer program product of thepresent application may include a storage medium (e.g. FLASH memory 224of FIG. 2) and computer instructions stored in the storage medium whichare executed by the one or more processors for performing such methods.

The process of FIG. 6 begins at step 602 where the wireless devicereceives broadcast information from a WLAN at step 604. The wirelessdevice determines whether a generic container message is present withinthe broadcast information (step 606 of FIG. 6). If a generic containermessage is not present at step 606, the wireless device determineswhether there is a flag present which indicates whether networkinterworking is available from the WLAN (step 608 of FIG. 6). If thenetwork interworking flag is present at step 608, network selector 504(FIG. 5) is signalled to perform a probe request to the WLAN (step 610of FIG. 6). Once the probe request is completed, the wireless devicedetermines whether a probe response is received from the WLAN (step 612of FIG. 6). If no network interworking flag is present at step 608,however, network selector 504 (FIG. 5) is signalled to perform a proberequest at step 616. The system then determines whether the proberequest is completed (step 618 of FIG. 6). If the probe request iscompleted at step 618, the method proceeds to step 612. If the proberequest is not completed at step 618, the method proceeds to step 614.

If a probe response is received at step 612, or if a generic containeris present at step 606, the method proceeds to step 620 to store thenetwork broadcast information from the generic container message instorage element 506 (FIG. 5). After storage, network selector 504 willbe signalled with a state change (step 622 of FIG. 6). This state changeis communicated so that the wireless device will scan for otheravailable WLANs at step 614. Steps 618 (probe request not done), 612(probe response not received) and 622 (signal state to network selector)all feed into a decision box 614 which determines attempts to find otherWLANs. If there are other WLANs identified at step 614, the methodrepeats again starting back at step 604 for the next WLAN.

If no other WLANs are found at step 614, the wireless device comparesthe received information with stored information in storage elements 506and 508 (step 624 of FIG. 6). Next, either a manual mode of networkselection or an automatic mode of network selection is identified forthe wireless device (step 626 of FIG. 6). If the automatic mode isidentified at step 626, a desired network is automatically selected bythe wireless device for communication based on the comparison of step624 (step 632 of FIG. 6). If the manual mode is identified at step 626,the wireless device visually displays the available and allowed networksto the end user (step 628 of FIG. 6). The end user then selects anetwork through the user interface of the wireless device, and thissignals the state to the network selector (step 630 of FIG. 6) and thedesired network is selected for communication at step 632.

FIG. 7 is one example of a message format for a generic containermessage transmitted by the WLAN and received at the wireless device. Inthis particular example, generic container message 702 includes a tagfield 704, a version field 706, a length field 708, atechnical/standards organization field 710, and a technology-specificcontainer field 712. Tag field 704 contains data that identifies themessage as a generic container message; version field 706 contains datathat identifies a (standards) version of generic container message 702;organization field 708 contains data that identifies what for a definesthe content and format of technology-specific container 712; lengthfield 710 contains data that identifies a data length oftechnology-specific container 712; and technology-specific containerfield 712 includes cellular broadcast information which is specific to aparticular cellular technology identified in organization field 708. Aplurality of technology-specific containers may be sequentially providedin generic container message 702 (depending on the number of cellularnetworks available in the coverage area of the WLAN) along with acorresponding length and organization identifier.

As apparent, generic container message 702 is “generic” in that thecontent and format of the information in technology-specific container12 may be defined by any cellular standard organization that isidentified in organization field 708. Although the entire genericcontainer message 702 has a predetermined message format (as thisspecific example reveals), the content and format withintechnology-specific container 712 is left flexible to be defined bydifferent cellular standard organizations. The wireless device usesorganization field 708 to select the appropriate technique for decodingthe information in technology-specific container 712.

As stated earlier above, the generic container message may alternativelyor additionally include wireless network broadcast information fromdifferent types of wireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX) which are availableto the WLAN. The message format for generic container message 702 inFIG. 7 is a specific example only and variations are numerous. Forexample, the generic container message may include a tag field and atechnology-specific container but not the others. This alternativeexample of a generic container message 802 is shown in FIG. 8. In thiscase, the specific cellular technology format/protocol found in thetechnology-specific container may be implied. Alternatively, thespecific cellular technology format/protocol may be indicated in the tagfield. The mobile station reads the information in thetechnology-specific container which ends when another tag field isidentified. As another example, the generic container message includes atag field, a version field, and the technology-specific container butnot the others. In even another example, the generic container messageincludes a tag field, a version field, a length field, and thetechnology-specific container.

As described herein, an exemplary WLAN method of providing networkbroadcast information to one or more wireless devices includes the stepsof receiving, from one or more available cellular networks or a networkdatabase, cellular network broadcast information associated with the oneor more available cellular networks; providing the cellular networkbroadcast information in a generic container message which varies incontent and format according to one or more cellular standardsassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; and causingthe generic container message to be regularly broadcasted for receiptand use by a wireless device. A computer program product of the presentapplication includes a storage medium and computer instructions storedon the storage medium, where the computer instructions are executable byone or more processors of a WLAN for performing the described method.Similarly, a WLAN of the present application is adapted to receive, fromone or more available cellular networks or a network database, cellularnetwork broadcast information associated with one or more availablecellular networks; provide the cellular network broadcast information ina generic container message which varies in content and format accordingto one or more cellular standards associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; and cause the generic container message tobe regularly broadcasted for receipt and use by a wireless device. Notethat the generic container message may alternatively or additionallyinclude wireless network broadcast information from different types ofwireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX) which are available to the WLAN.

Related to the above techniques, an exemplary wireless device method ofreceiving and processing network broadcast information from a wirelesslocal area network includes the steps of monitoring for broadcastinformation from a wireless local area network; receiving a genericcontainer message from the wireless local area network which isregularly broadcasted by the wireless local area network, the genericcontainer message including cellular network broadcast informationassociated with one or more available cellular networks which varies incontent and format in accordance with one or more cellular standardsassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; decodingthe generic container message to identify the cellular network broadcastinformation associated with the one or more available cellular networks;and storing the cellular network broadcast information in memory. Acomputer program product of the present application includes a storagemedium and computer instructions stored on the storage medium, where thecomputer instructions are executable by one or more processors of awireless device for performing the described method. A wireless deviceof the present application includes one or more processors; memorycoupled to the one or more processors; a radio frequency (RF)transceiver coupled to the one or more processors; and an antennacoupled to the RF transceiver. The one or more processors of thewireless device are operative to monitor for broadcast information froma wireless local area network with use of the RF transceiver; receive ageneric container message which is regularly broadcasted by the wirelesslocal area network, the generic container message including cellularnetwork broadcast information associated with one or more availablecellular networks which varies in content and format in accordance withone or more cellular standards associated with the one or more availablecellular networks; decode the generic container message to identify thecellular network broadcast information associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; and store the cellular network broadcastinformation in the memory. The wireless device may be a dual mode deviceor a single mode device. Note that the generic container message mayalternatively or additionally include wireless network broadcastinformation from different types of wireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX)which are available to the WLAN.

Using an alternative technique, an exemplary WLAN method of providingnetwork broadcast information to one or more wireless devices includesthe steps of receiving, from one or more available cellular networks ora network database, cellular network broadcast information associatedwith the one or more available cellular networks; providing the cellularnetwork broadcast information in a generic container message whichvaries in content and format according to one or more cellular standardsassociated with the one or more available cellular networks; receiving aprobe request from a wireless device; and causing the generic containermessage to be sent to the wireless device in response to the proberequest. This alternative method may include the further step ofregularly broadcasting a network interworking indicator which isindicative of whether cellular network broadcast information isavailable from the WLAN. A computer program product of the presentapplication includes a storage medium and computer instructions storedon the storage medium, where the computer instructions are executable byone or more processors of a WLAN for performing the described method. AWLAN of the present application is adapted to receive, from one or moreavailable cellular networks or a network database, cellular networkbroadcast information associated with the one or more available cellularnetworks; provide the cellular network broadcast information in ageneric container message which varies in content and format accordingto one or more cellular standards associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; receive a probe request from a wirelessdevice; and cause the generic container message to be sent to thewireless device in response to the probe request. The WLAN may befurther adapted to regularly broadcast a network interworking indicatorwhich is indicative of whether cellular network broadcast information isavailable from the WLAN. Note that the generic container message mayalternatively or additionally include wireless network broadcastinformation from different types of wireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX)which are available to the WLAN.

Related to the alternative techniques, a wireless device method ofreceiving and processing network broadcast information from a wirelesslocal area network includes the steps of causing a probe request to besent to a wireless local area network; receiving a generic containermessage from the wireless local area network in response to the proberequest, the generic container message varying in content and formataccording to one or more cellular standards associated with one or moreavailable cellular networks; decoding the generic container message toidentify cellular network broadcast information associated with the oneor more available cellular networks; and storing the cellular networkbroadcast information in memory. This alternative method may include thefurther step of receiving a broadcasted network interworking indicatorwhich is indicative of whether cellular network broadcast information isavailable. A computer program product of the present applicationincludes a storage medium and computer instructions stored on thestorage medium, where the computer instructions are executable by one ormore processors of a wireless device for performing the describedmethod. A wireless device of the present application includes one ormore processors; memory coupled to the one or more processors; a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the one or more processors; and anantenna coupled to the RF transceiver. The one or more processors of thewireless device are operative to cause a probe request to be sent to awireless local area network; receive a generic container message fromthe wireless local area network in response to the probe request, thegeneric container message varying in content and format according to oneor more cellular standards associated with one or more availablecellular networks; decode the generic container message to identifycellular network broadcast information associated with the one or moreavailable cellular networks; and store the cellular network broadcastinformation in memory of the wireless device. The one or more processorsmay be further operative to receive a broadcasted network interworkingindicator which is indicative of whether cellular network broadcastinformation is available. Note that the generic container message mayalternatively or additionally include wireless network broadcastinformation from different types of wireless networks (e.g. Wi-MAX)which are available to the WLAN.

The above-described embodiments of the present application are intendedto be examples only. For example, although the wireless device wasprimarily described as a “dual mode” device, it may alternatively be a“single mode” device which communicates only through WLANs. Those ofskill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations tothe particular embodiments without departing from the scope of theapplication.

1. A method of providing network broadcast information to one or morewireless devices by a wireless local area network, the method comprisingthe steps of: receiving, from one or more available wireless networks ora network database, wireless network broadcast information associatedwith the one or more available wireless networks; providing the wirelessnetwork broadcast information in a generic container message whichvaries in content and format according to one or more wireless standardsassociated with the one or more available wireless networks; and causingthe generic container message to be regularly broadcasted for receiptand use by a wireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof causing the generic container message to be regularly broadcastedcomprises periodically broadcasting the generic container message. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network broadcastinformation is associated with a plurality of wireless networks.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the generic container message includes atechnology-specific container.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thegeneric container message includes a data field for identifying atechnology standard or standard organization associated with a firstwireless network.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless networkbroadcast information comprises cellular network broadcast informationassociated with a plurality of cellular networks.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the wireless network broadcast information includes: firstwireless network information having a first format and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond format different from the first format and associated with asecond wireless network.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelessnetwork broadcast information includes: first wireless networkinformation having a first information content and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond information content different from the first information contentand associated with a second wireless network.
 9. A wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) being adapted to receive, from one or more availablewireless networks or a network database, wireless network broadcastinformation associated with one or more available wireless networks;provide the wireless network broadcast information in a genericcontainer message which varies in content and format according to one ormore wireless standards associated with the one or more availablewireless networks; and cause the generic container message to beregularly broadcasted for receipt and use by a wireless device.
 10. TheWLAN of claim 9, wherein the WLAN is further adapted to periodicallybroadcast the generic container message.
 11. The WLAN of claim 9,wherein the generic container message includes a technology-specificcontainer.
 12. The WLAN of claim 9, wherein the generic containermessage includes a data field for identifying a technology standard orstandard organization associated with a first wireless network.
 13. TheWLAN of claim 9, wherein the wireless network broadcast informationincludes first wireless network information which identifies the firstwireless network.
 14. The WLAN of claim 9, wherein the wireless networkbroadcast information is associated with one or more available wirelessnetworks comprising a plurality of wireless networks.
 15. A method ofreceiving and processing network broadcast information from a wirelesslocal area network by a wireless device, the method comprising the stepsof: monitoring for broadcast information from a wireless local areanetwork; receiving a generic container message from the wireless localarea network which is regularly broadcasted by the wireless local areanetwork, the generic container message including wireless networkbroadcast information associated with one or more available wirelessnetworks which varies in content and format in accordance with one ormore wireless standards associated with the one or more availablewireless networks; decoding the generic container message to identifythe wireless network broadcast information associated with the one ormore available wireless networks; and storing the wireless networkbroadcast information in memory.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thegeneric container message which is regularly broadcasted is periodicallybroadcasted by the wireless local area network.
 17. The method of claim15, further comprising: selecting one of the one or more availablewireless networks for communication using the wireless network broadcastinformation stored in the memory.
 18. The method of claim 15, whereinthe wireless network broadcast information comprises cellular networkbroadcast information associated with a plurality of cellular networks.19. The method of claim 15, wherein the generic container messageincludes a data field for identifying a technology standard or standardorganization associated with a first wireless network.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the wireless network broadcast information includes:first wireless network information having a first information contentand associated with a first wireless network; and second wirelessnetwork information having a second information content different fromthe first information content and associated with a second wirelessnetwork.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless networkbroadcast information includes: first wireless network informationhaving a first format and associated with a first wireless network; andsecond wireless network information having a second format differentfrom the first format and associated with a second wireless network. 22.A wireless device, comprising: one or more processors; memory coupled tothe one or more processors; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupledto the one or more processors; an antenna coupled to the RF transceiver;the one or more processors being operative to: monitor for broadcastinformation from a wireless local area network with use of the RFtransceiver; receive generic container message which is regularlybroadcasted by the wireless local area network, the generic containermessage including wireless network broadcast information associated withone or more available wireless networks which varies in content andformat in accordance with one or more wireless standards associated withthe one or more available wireless networks; decode the genericcontainer message to identify the wireless network broadcast informationassociated with the one or more available wireless networks; and storethe wireless network broadcast information in the memory.
 23. Thewireless device of claim 22, wherein the generic container message whichis regularly broadcasted is periodically broadcasted by the wirelesslocal area network.
 24. The wireless device of claim 22, wherein the oneor more processors are further operative to select one of the one ormore available wireless networks for communication using the wirelessnetwork broadcast information stored in the memory.
 25. The wirelessdevice of claim 22, wherein the generic container message includes atechnology-specific container.
 26. The wireless device of claim 22,wherein the generic container message includes a data field foridentifying a technology standard or standard organization associatedwith a first wireless network.
 27. A method of providing networkbroadcast information to one or more wireless devices by a wirelesslocal area network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, fromone or more available wireless networks or a network database, wirelessnetwork broadcast information associated with the one or more availablewireless networks; providing the wireless network broadcast informationin a generic container message which varies in content and formataccording to one or more wireless standards associated with the one ormore available wireless networks; receiving a probe request from awireless device; and causing the generic container message to be sent tothe wireless device in response to the probe request.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the generic container message is sent as part of aprobe response to the wireless device.
 29. The method of claim 27,further comprising: causing a network interworking indicator to beregularly broadcasted.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:causing a network interworking indicator to be regularly broadcasted,the network interworking indicator being indicative of whether thewireless network broadcast information is available for receipt from thewireless local area network.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein thegeneric container message includes a data field for identifying atechnology standard or standard organization associated with a firstwireless network.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the wirelessnetwork broadcast information includes: first wireless networkinformation having a first information content and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond information content different from the first information contentand associated with a second wireless network.
 33. The method of claim27, wherein the wireless network broadcast information includes: firstwireless network information having a first format and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond format different from the first format and associated with asecond wireless network.
 34. A wireless local area network (WLAN) beingadapted to receive, from one or more available wireless networks or anetwork database, wireless network broadcast information associated withthe one or more available wireless networks; provide the wirelessnetwork broadcast information in a generic container message whichvaries in content and format according to one or more wireless standardsassociated with the one or more available wireless networks; receive aprobe request from a wireless device; and cause the generic containermessage to be sent to the wireless device in response to the proberequest.
 35. The WLAN of claim 34, wherein the generic container messageis sent as part of a probe response to the wireless device.
 36. The WLANof claim 34, wherein the WLAN is further operative for causing a networkinterworking indicator to be regularly broadcasted.
 37. The WLAN ofclaim 34, wherein the WLAN is further operative for causing a networkinterworking indicator to be regularly broadcasted, the networkinterworking indicator being indicative of whether the wireless networkbroadcast information is available for receipt from the WLAN.
 38. TheWLAN of claim 34, wherein the generic container message includes a datafield for identifying a technology standard or standard organizationassociated with a first wireless network.
 39. A method of receiving andprocessing network broadcast information from a wireless local areanetwork by a wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:causing a probe request to be sent to a wireless local area network;receiving a generic container message from the wireless local areanetwork in response to the probe request, the generic container messagevarying in content and format according to one or more wirelessstandards associated with one or more available wireless networks;decoding the generic container message to identify wireless networkbroadcast information associated with the one or more available wirelessnetworks; and storing the wireless network broadcast information inmemory.
 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: selecting one ofthe one or more available wireless networks for communication using thewireless network broadcast information stored in the memory.
 41. Themethod of claim 39, wherein the wireless network broadcast informationcomprises cellular network broadcast information associated with aplurality of cellular networks.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein thegeneric container message includes a data field for identifying atechnology standard or standard organization associated with a firstwireless network.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the wirelessnetwork broadcast information includes: first wireless networkinformation having a first information content and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond information content different from the first information contentand associated with a second wireless network.
 44. The method of claim39, wherein the wireless network broadcast information includes: firstwireless network information having a first format and associated with afirst wireless network; and second wireless network information having asecond format different from the first format and associated with asecond wireless network.
 45. The method of claim 39, further comprising:monitoring for broadcast information from the wireless local areanetwork; and receiving a network interworking indicator which isindicative of whether the wireless network broadcast information isavailable for receipt from the wireless local area network.
 46. Themethod of claim 39, further comprising: monitoring for broadcastinformation from the wireless local area network; receiving a networkinterworking indicator which is regularly broadcasted; identifying thatthe network interworking indicator is indicative that the wirelessnetwork broadcast information is available from the wireless local areanetwork; and wherein the step of causing the probe request to be sent isbased on identifying that the step of identifying.
 47. A wirelessdevice, comprising: one or more processors; memory coupled to the one ormore processors; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the oneor more processors; an antenna coupled to the RF transceiver; the one ormore processors being operative to: cause a probe request to be sent toa wireless local area network; receive a generic container message fromthe wireless local area network in response to the probe request, thegeneric container message varying in content and format according to oneor more wireless standards associated with one or more availablewireless networks; decode the generic container message to identifywireless network broadcast information associated with the one or moreavailable wireless networks; and store the wireless network broadcastinformation in memory of the wireless device.
 48. The wireless device ofclaim 47, wherein the one or more processors are further operative toselect one of the one or more available wireless networks forcommunication using the wireless network broadcast information stored inthe memory.
 49. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein the wirelessnetwork broadcast information comprises cellular network broadcastinformation associated with a plurality of cellular networks.
 50. Thewireless device of claim 47, wherein the generic container messageincludes a data field for identifying a technology standard or standardorganization associated with a first wireless network.
 51. The wirelessdevice of claim 47, wherein the one or more processors are furtheroperative to: monitor for broadcast information from the wireless localarea network; and receive a network interworking indicator which isregularly broadcasted.
 52. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein theone or more processors are further operative to: monitor for broadcastinformation from the wireless local area network; and receive a networkinterworking indicator which is indicative of whether the wirelessnetwork broadcast information is available for receipt from the wirelesslocal area network.
 53. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein the oneor more processors are further operative to: monitor for broadcastinformation of the wireless local area network; receive a networkinterworking indicator which is regularly broadcasted; identifying thatthe network interworking indicator is indicative that the wirelessnetwork broadcast information is available from the wireless local areanetwork; and wherein causing the probe request to be sent is based onidentifying that the network interworking indicator is indicative thatthe wireless network broadcast information is available from thewireless local area network.